THE WOMEN'S FREE-TRADE UNION.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Stn,—I think your readers will be interested to learn that the following ladies have joined the Women's Free-Trade Union: —The Duchess of Devonshire, Lady Avebury, Lady Balfour of Burleigh, Lady Frances Balfour, Mrs. George Cornwallis- West, Miss Anstruther, Lady Pollock, Lady Grant Duff, Lady Beatrice Kemp, Mrs. Austin-Taylor, Hon. Mrs. John Bailey, Mrs. Westlake, Mrs. Cecil Chapman, Hon. Mrs. Arthur Elliot, Mrs. Norman Lampson, Miss Mal- colm, Hon. Mrs. Ivor Guest, Mrs. Malcolm, Mrs. John Seely, Miss Flora C. Stevenson, LL.D., Lady Dickson- Poynder, Lady Moyra Cavendish, Miss Birch, Lady Alice Shaw-Stewart, Lady Constance Hatch, Mrs. St. Loe Strachey. Although hitherto no Unionist members have joined, the Women's Free-Trade Union is a non-party organisation, and consists of women Free-traders of the Liberal, Conservative, and Liberal Unionist parties, and of others who take no part in party politics. It is felt that a union of all Free-trade forces is necessary at this juncture to combat the reactionary
proposals now before the country, which threaten alike our fiscal position and the stability of the Empire. We hope to welcome a large number of members. I have undertaken the duty of joint honorary secretary in conjunction with the existing honorary secretary. The offices are at 8 Victoria
[We have dealt with this letter elsewhere, but must express here also our satisfaction that the women Free-traders of the Liberal, Conservative, and Liberal Unionist parties have seen the advantage of joint action, but without any severance of party ties. The Liberal women in thus enabling the Unionist women to work with them on a non-party organisation with- out abating one jot of their Unionism have shown a wise and generous appreciation of the situation, which it is to be hoped will be widely imitated. Till Protection is overthrown and banished from the political arena, all Free-traders must work together. When it is overthrown, and once again Free- trade, like the Monarchy, is regarded as the possession of both parties in the State, the Conservatives and Unionists may return to their old allegiance. In our view, they will by such a return best ensure that Protection shall not undergo a second resurrection. Meantime, we trust that all women Free-traders who are anxious to show their devotion to the cause will join the Women's Free-Trade Union.—ED. Spectator.]
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